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A commotion on Dragonspine calls the attention of the Knights. Found in the scene was: a terrified adventurer and a startled researcher, clutching a bag close to her chest. The snow had been disturbed and remnants of the fight left the ground shaken.
“No amount of frostshield potion can help you once the cold numbs your body.” Albedo scolds firmly, seeing a dozen potions on the ground. “The camp ahead is not going to be a long walk. Take them,” the Knights scrambled from his order and Albedo isn’t certain if it was the intimidation or weak will.
“Yes, Captain!”
“B-But..!” the researcher protests, her teeth are almost chattering and she looks weakened. What caught Albedo’s attention were her eyes that kept darting up to the summit of Dragonspine. “I swear! I swear s-something flew up to that mountain before the monsters appeared and attacked us! It’s..”
Albedo doesn’t ponder. “Tell me once we are at the camp. We’ll need the full story.”
Esther, a researcher studying the environment of Dragonspine, describes something like an orb that came out of the slab of ice then flew to the top of the mountain. Then monsters came out of nowhere, attacking them until they arrived. It wasn’t much but Albedo had a feeling what she’d seen had something to do about the strange wind deterring everyone that comes close to the cave. It’s going to need an investigation.
Jean doesn’t need too much convincing after the news reached her office desk and demanded a report to be submitted. Albedo would gladly write the papers himself but then he was itching to go back to his camp. Jean just needs to stop him from leaving too soon.
“The warning extends to you as well, Albedo. Just because you can handle yourself more than them doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be careful.”
“I will keep it in mind.”
The adventurers at the camp ahead were easier to talk to, but then Albedo realized, Iris, somehow thought they shared the same object when it came to Dragonspine. Perhaps that’s where most of her fascination came from though Albedo can tell their motivations aren’t as close as she thinks, but he wouldn’t dare say it.
Arriving at the path, Albedo sprints towards the tree— when did it grow? It couldn’t be in a short amount of time, in between the trip from Dragonspine to Mondstadt.. Albedo is astounded, already reaching for the red glows at the bottom of the tree and felt a pulsating warmth before he could touch it. It still bore a question: when did it grow? Albedo vividly recalls the ground was shaken and the frozen wild plants snapped in half, yet there wasn’t a recollection of anything that implies the existence of the tree. What of it?
The wind picks up around and Albedo was forced to abandon the tree, not without placing a protective barrier around it. Not knowing its nature is searching in the dark and it could either withstand a storm or simply die. Albedo leaned on the conclusion that the fact it suddenly grew in Dragonspine’s soil despite the climate equates to its ability and necessity to survive the weather.
It was going to be a long night.
Turns out the tree had grown taller overnight. Albedo recalls the red spot on the bottom to be the size of his palm and when he stands next to it now, it was almost the same size as it. Such a growth spurt. It doesn’t stop Albedo from documenting it, going as near as he could until he was enveloped in its exhausting warmth the entire time. The temperature dropped to a negative when Albedo peels himself away from the tree, steps backward without taking his eyes off it with the exception of sketching it.
It was a tree with equally riveting design. It was void of leaves and yet something in the shape of butterflies extended to the tips of its branches, frozen and glowing in red. The red ore akin to scarlet quartz rests on the center of the tree, not quite sealed but is protected by its thick body while displaying a side of it.
Albedo had never seen anything like it before and the thought of examining something new makes him elevated and not exactly happy, but delighted the same, with something new and undiscovered within his grasp.
Scarlet quartz. A few centimeters away is the very ore that sprouts anywhere in Dragonspine. Albedo didn’t put out its same characteristic and appearance, could their origin be the same? Yet as deep as his research, Albedo was certain the ore was one of Durin’s influences in the mountain, but then the tree could’ve been either recent or older than it appears.
_____________
A fluctuation in energy and a small quake causes Albedo to run down the mountain, halfway through the path and everything stops until the ground settles and it is too quiet. Too quiet. The strange wind coming from the cave had stopped blowing. Albedo steps in to see a small pool of water the shallow ground had amassed, a frozen trail lets him cross and sees an opening above the cave, dark clouds peeks when Albedo jumps to get in a closer look.
None of the existing maps has detailed visualization of Dragonspine’s summit, easily because it’s as though the mountain itself doesn’t give anyone permission to do so. The same ideology birthed a few tales of either a spirit, snow-fairy and a goddess roaming in this land and protecting the ancient treasures. Albedo doesn’t care for any wealth and treasures hidden, the knowledge isn’t a surprise. But then his avid curiosity to know things can be interpreted as greed.
It’s desolate, how the time passed yet everything that surrounds remains frozen in time like a curse. Albedo feels like he stepped back in time and is now witnessing a history that should’ve passed. Somehow Albedo can understand the mountain’s persistent refusal of anyone reaching the top.
A continuous breaking was heard and the pillar breaks free from the ice, floating slowly until it spikes towards the sky and bringing a lot of debris with it— once done, Albedo was welcomed by its view of floating uncannily at the center with rings surrounding it in a circle. Albedo realizes it could be seen from afar, from the city and everyone in Mondstadt. Perhaps Jean will notice it in time. A chunk of ice fell towards and Albedo’s eyes zeroed on the coffin— a coffin?
“.. someone.” Albedo whispered and nearly sprinted towards the ominous vault.
Disturbing the dead is by far more disrespectful than disturbing the living. So, Albedo promised to be quiet and respectful while peeking.
Albedo’s mind races for a lot of reasons that don't stay silent in his head. How long has this been here? Were there any tomb that directs to its identity, time and place? What could a coffin possibly do up in the mountain, encapsulated and hidden by the ice as if anyone who’d done it had a purpose of not letting it be found easily? Albedo’s hands don't sweat but the ice burns his palm. The ice has become a stubborn hindrance and yet it was powerless to pieces of quartz.
The coffin opens slowly and Albedo bears the weight of what could possibly be residing inside.
A person slumber peacefully inside— a princess? Pale arms and hands. Stream of long and golden hair, stiff and cold to touch. Their clothes had not been the best but Albedo sees the line and its appeal, white and golden, as if symbolizing purity and hope. Who is this?
Randomly, Albedo is reminded of one of the tales that goes with a witch cursing the princess:
The witches’ cave was far beneath the mountain, hidden with vines and roots, hiding as a corner in the naked eyes. The Knight has no second thoughts, braving the danger until the Princess is found. His bold bravery and courage angered the witch and she sent an imposter, luring and fooling the Knight to his own demise— but the Knight is smart, seeing through the trick and killing the imposter.
The Princess rejoiced at the sight of her savior, clad in no expensive and pristine armor. The Knight’s sword is worn and pricked after many battles but the Princess never had a doubt, believing her safety is soon to be granted and she would be held by the great arms.
The witch expressed her anger, throwing thorns and vines to the Knight, which was easily defeated. Soon the ground shakes and a giant flower grows from the dirt, it has red and angry eyes while its petals are long and sharp. The Princess shouted at the Knight’s way, warning him of grave danger he might be facing. The witch was enraged, she became aggressive and merciless, letting everything that surrounded succumb to ruin in fit of anger. The princess protests uselessly in her hold, forcing to watch the Knight exhaust himself in a fight.
“How pitiful. The hubris of this land shall be its end. The prophecy.. It is fate. Everything shall be placed in eternal sleep..”
Albedo doesn’t pay attention to the story well, why did the witch curse the princess if the kingdom was the problem? Albedo is skeptical how this book was passed as a children's bedtime story when it has a complicated building. Who recommended it?
The body hadn’t stirred since it was exposed and yet Albedo felt they’re going to open their eyes soon. Albedo isn’t afraid to touch, it was the idea of disturbing and disrupting what remains of that something that keeps the body preserved that kept him. And yet the body didn’t dissolve after being exposed to air? It couldn’t possibly be simply because it was colder, Albedo had seen enough to know it wasn’t the case. Then what?
Albedo’s face crumpled at the rush of rather.. stupid thought and for a moment he’d considered it. What are the chances that this person will wake up from a kiss? As an Alchemist, Albedo felt as though he was offending his master but wouldn’t she think it’s interesting? Perhaps a bit childish and yet..
Albedo had done enough tests to himself to know he’s not susceptible to any kinds of contagious disease and illness, though he couldn’t say the same for curses and alike. The person laying looked too ethereal to be a bearer of things that cannot be explained. Is he really considering kissing this person? Albedo dwells a tad bit too late, already leaning down on the coffin and the wisp of his hair falls forward, brushing on the cold and pale face. Their lips are cold, no surprise, no lingering warmth and breath. Albedo pulls away with a breath of fresh air he didn’t know he badly needed until now.
Nothing happened and Albedo thought he successfully made a fool of himself. But then the person stirred, a quiet rumble and a pair of golden eyes stared back at him.
Albedo gasps and watches.
Albedo’s lips tingle, gawking in a mix of awe and disbelief that it rendered him speechless. The person— the man sitting from the coffin and Albedo knew that golden hair would be falling like a waterfall, gleaming and utterly.. unique. Did it work? It does. The man smiled, soft and careful as his lips curled and Albedo didn’t think he was not besotted.
“Savior..”
Savior? Albedo echoes and as if in a practiced move, extends his hand forward. He didn’t shiver when a cold hand was placed against his, only when they were standing at close proximity Albedo did. Like he’d thought, the man’s clothes are rather.. appealing but not practical for Dragonspine’s weather. The curve of the man’s waist will surely haunt him though.
“Your name?”
“Albedo.”
Incredible. Albedo can understand what was said and ask, could this person be from a recent age and just have been unfortunate?
“Albedo, call me Aether. And I believe this place is..”
“Dragonspine.” Albedo answered.
“Ah, it’s just as the prophecy said. Would you believe me if I said I came from a time when this pitiful land was still flourishing. Sal Vindagnyr?”
“I will.” in his chest, Albedo felt his heart leap.